Smriti Mandhana has returned to Instagram for the first time since her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal was unexpectedly postponed on November 23. The delay came after the Women’s World Cup star’s father, Srinivas, fell ill on the wedding day and was admitted to a hospital in their hometown of Sangli. Palash, too, fell unwell the following day and required hospitalization. Both have now been discharged, but a new date for the wedding has yet to be confirmed by either family. Amid the speculation, Mandhana shared an Instagram post on Friday as part of a paid partnership with a leading toothpaste brand. But what immediately caught fans’ eyes was the absence of an engagement ring on her finger. It remains unclear whether the ad was filmed before the engagement, yet the subtle detail has sparked conversations across social media.Some users suggested the shoot took place before her engagement, adding fuel to the online buzz. Smriti has also removed all wedding-related posts from her profiles, further intensifying curiosity. Family members on both sides have clarified that the postponement was purely due to health reasons, and Palash’s mother, Amita, remains optimistic about the wedding.In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Amita opened up about the emotional toll of the day, saying both Smriti and Palash have been hurt by the circumstances. She shared that she had even planned a special welcome for Smriti after the wedding. Though the families were forced to pause the celebrations, Amita is confident the ceremony will take place soon.“Smriti and Palash dono takleef mein hain… Palash dreamt of coming home with his bride. I had even planned a special welcome… Everything will be fine, shaadi bohot jaldi hogi.”Breaking her silence in a chat with Filmfare, Palak reflected on the emotional weight of the situation and the intense public interest. She said, “I think the families have been through a very, very tough time, and I would just want to repeat that we would like to believe in positivity in this time.”
